Katsucon 2013: FUNimation Industry Panel Report

FUNimation Entertainment’s Conventions Manager Sarah “Sully” Sullivan presented the company’s industry panel at Katsucon Friday night. For a new announcement the voice cast for the English dub of Last Exile -Fam, The Silver Wing- was revealed during the panel, as well as a new trailer for the show.

Fam: Jad Saxton

Giselle: Leigh Clark

Millia: Carrie Savage

Dio: Greg Ayers

Luscinia: Duncan Brannan

Sara: Monica Rial

Vasant: Gwendolyn Lau

Last Exile -Fam, The Silver Wing- will receive a Blu-ray/DVD combo release on April 30th, 2013.

Sullivan divulged that the first Fairy Tail movie and the movie Blood-C: The Last Dark would be released on home video near Christmas time in 2013. Several anime series were confirmed for physical media releases later this year, including Michiko & Hatchin and Lupin the 3rd: TheWoman Called Fujiko Mine in late summer. Dubs for both series are in the works. Other shows confirmed for home video release in 2013 were Sankarea,Maken-Ki!: Battling Venus, Robotics;Notes and Psycho Pass.

Additionally, FUNimation is currently reassembling the original cast of Black Lagoon to redub the OVA Black Lagoon: Roberta’s Blood Trail.

Regarding the new Toonami block that currently includes Soul Eater, Tenchi Muyo! GXP and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, FUNimation has been very happy with the performance of the shows that have been on the block. They have also seen increased interest in Casshern Sins and other Tenchi Muyo! anime.

A number of current online simulcasts were promoted at the panel: season 2 of Haganai on Wednesdays at 11 AM, season 5 of Hetalia on Fridays at 3 PM, Kingdom on Mondays at 11 AM, Minami Keon Fridays at 11:30 AM, One Piece on Saturdays at 10 PM, Psycho Pass on Thursdays at 11:45 AM, Puchim@s at Noon Monday through Friday, Robotics;Notes at on Fridays at 12:15 PM, Senran Kagura on Mondays at at 11:30 AM and Toriko on Wednesdays.

Sullivan also apologized for the trouble FUNimation has been having with their Elite Video Subscription service. They are in the process of upgrading their website and will be debuting new features soon.